Fast National ratings for Monday, Aug. 25, 2008

The return of "Deal or No Deal" to NBC gave the network a ratings win Monday night.

NBC continued its Olympics-fueled winning streak -- albeit with much lower numbers -- by averaging a 5.1 rating/8 share for the evening. CBS took second with a 3.7/6. FOX's 2.7/4 was good enough for third. ABC managed only a 2.0/3 in finishing fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.1/2.

The adults 18-49 title also went to NBC, which drew a 2.3 rating in the key demographic. CBS, 1.8, finished second, followed by FOX at 1.5. Neither ABC nor The CW broke the 1.0 barrier.

The season premiere of "Deal or No Deal" scored the night's best rating (7.3/12) at 8 p.m. Reruns of "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother" averaged 3.6/6 for CBS. "Prison Break" delivered a 2.5/4 for FOX. "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" put ABC in fourth, ahead of "Gossip Girl," 1.1/2, on The CW.

CBS took the lead at 9 p.m. with "Two and a Half Men," 5.8/9, and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," 4.3/7. The debut of "America's Toughest Jobs" scored a 4.7/7 for NBC. A second "Prison Break" on FOX improved slightly to 2.8/4. A pair of "Samantha Who?" reruns averaged 1.7/3 for ABC. The CW held steady with a "One Tree Hill" rerun.

All of the Big Three networks covered the Democratic National Convention at 10 p.m. NBC led the way with a 3.4/8, followed by ABC, 2.7/4, and CBS, 2.4/4.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.